Mungpi
Mizzima News
March 14, 2008, New Delhi - Burma's prominent student activists group, widely known as '8.8.88 generation', Friday called on the people of Burma to vote 'NO' in the junta's upcoming constitutional referendum.
88 generation, in a statement released today, called on the people of Burma to vote 'NO' at the ballot boxes to prevent "the country from falling into the depths as a result of the junta's one-sided road-map."
"Let us transform the junta's sham national referendum into a 'National Show of the Peoples' Desire'," the statement urged.
This is the first official statement made by 88 generation on the upcoming referendum, for which the junta's referendum law declares criticizing the referendum process as a criminal offence.
Tun Myint Aung, an 88 generation student who is on the run from arrest, told Mizzima from his hideout that it is crucial for the people of Burma not to miss the opportunity to vote against the junta's plans.
"By voting 'No' we are not only against the junta's referendum, we want the junta to know that the people of Burma do not recognize every step of its road-map or their rule," Tun Myint Aung elaborated.
Burma's military rulers have announced they will hold a referendum on a draft constitution in May and a general election in 2010, for the first time setting a timetable on its 'seven-step road-map to democracy, which was announced in 2003.
However, critics say the junta's road-map lacks credibility as it excludes opposition parties as well as representatives of ethnic nationalities. Further, critics have slammed the junta's referendum plans saying they lack transparency without an independent group to monitor the process.
According to the junta's draft constitution, the military will automatically be given 25 % of parliamentary seats, and will be granted veto power to call for emergency rule anytime it deems necessary.
88 generation said the constitution will only allow the military dictatorship to perpetuate in Burma.
The group believes the only way for the people of Burma to deny military rule is to vote against the draft constitution.
"We do not want anybody to be in danger of their lives, so we are calling for the people to cast a 'No' vote, for which the junta cannot take action," Tun Myint Aung said.
February's referendum law states that anybody disturbing the constitutional poll is subject to three-year prison sentence.
"The authorities have no right to arrest you for voting 'AGAINST' this constitution," voices 88 generation.
Opposing views
Meanwhile, the 88 generation students (Union of Myanmar), a contemporary student group led by Aye Lwin, urged the people to vote in favor of the junta's constitution saying, "It is a chance to make democracy become real in our country."
The 88 generation students (Union of Myanmar), in a statement released on Thursday, said the referendum is a chance for the people of Burma to build democracy in the country.
Their argument, said Ye Tun, a member the group, is that no constitution is perfect and all have flaws. However, this is the first step in which the people of Burma, by endorsing the draft constitution, could begin the process of democratization.
"If the people of Burma boycott or give a 'NO' vote, then it will give the military another chance to delay the process of reform. Therefore, we are urging the people to utilize this opportunity to express that the people of Burma are ready for democracy," Ye Tun told Mizzima.
88 generation students (Union of Myanmar), the only student group that is allowed to operate freely by the junta, is accused by Burmese activists of being junta-led and used by the authorities to counter Min Ko Naing's 88 generation group.
The 88 generation students (Union of Myanmar) said they see this as the only way to build democracy and would continue a widespread campaign to gain support for the upcoming referendum.
While the two 88 generation students groups occupy different points of view on the junta's constitution, there exist additional perspectives as well.
Burma Campaign UK, a lobby group, have called for the boycott of the junta's road-map and urge the people not to vote in the referendum, saying it will give legitimacy to the generals that have plagued the country with over 40 years of unbroken rule.
Meanwhile, Dr. Nay Win Maung, a Burmese intellectual and Publisher of the Rangoon-based The Voice and CEO of Living Color Magazine, has cobbled together yet another solution to Burma's political stalemate.
Nay Win Maung, in an exclusive interview with Mizzima, said Burma's opposition party - National League for Democracy - should first endorse the junta's road-map and participate actively in the process alongside the junta, in a bid to build a better relationship with the junta.
He believes detained Burmese pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her NLD party should prove they are not seeking political power by contesting only half of the total parliamentary seats.
"If it were me, I would just want to serve in the rebuilding of the country in any way I can. But I would tell the government that they have to release all political prisoners to build unity toward a prosperous and happy country. She should decide to stand resolutely as a strong opposition figure," said Nay Win Maung, referring to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
Mystifying options
While the junta has made clear indications that it is determined to go ahead with its planned roadmap and is making the necessary preparations for a referendum, which they have declared to hold in May, opposition groups as well as the international community have varied in their responses.
Finding the best response seems to be a hard task and a big risk in trying to end decades of military rule in Burma, Aung Naing Oo, a Burmese analyst based in Thailand commented.
"There is no guarantee in any way that the people's response will be recognized by the junta. They [junta] have all the power and could always manipulate the results of the referendum as has been earlier done," Aung Naing Oo went on to remark.
The junta has declared that the upcoming referendum is to approve the draft constitution it has drawn, which indicates that they will get what they want, Aung Naing Oo continued, citing the junta's declaration on the referendum.
Aung Naing Oo did however say, "The people can show their resentment collectively by uniting on a common strategy. It could be of total boycott, or a vote of "No", but what's important is to be unified in their stance."
"The junta will go on with whatever their plan is, but if the people are united in their stand it is possible to achieve a certain goal," added Aung Naing Oo.
The Best Response
While there seems to be no best response to the junta's plan to legitimize its rule, 88 generation maintains it is best to vote against the junta's constitution, as by abstaining or by approving the junta will have excuses to derail a process of reforms.
"If all people vote 'No' then we believe the junta cannot just go ahead with their plan," Tun Myint Aung stressed.
He added that while the current game is being played on the junta's court, it is necessary for the people to win this game and change the court.
"Let us be responsible for what we, each and every one of us, need to do. Our united action will frighten the generals. They will come to realize that we are not puppets which they can crush as they wish. This will be a way for us to be free from all the crises we face," appeals 88 generation.
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